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Catalysis and Types of Catalysts

This document discusses catalysis and the two primary types of catalysts: homogeneous and heterogeneous. Homogeneous catalysts are catalysts that are in the same phase as the reactants, while heterogeneous catalysts are in a different phase. The document provides examples of homogeneous catalysts like aqueous sulfuric acid and heterogeneous catalysts like automotive catalytic converters. It also explains key concepts like how heterogeneous catalysts work via adsorption of reactants onto surfaces and can lower activation energy of reactions.

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Sophia Noelle Jacob
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94 views2 pages

Catalysis and Types of Catalysts

This document discusses catalysis and the two primary types of catalysts: homogeneous and heterogeneous. Homogeneous catalysts are catalysts that are in the same phase as the reactants, while heterogeneous catalysts are in a different phase. The document provides examples of homogeneous catalysts like aqueous sulfuric acid and heterogeneous catalysts like automotive catalytic converters. It also explains key concepts like how heterogeneous catalysts work via adsorption of reactants onto surfaces and can lower activation energy of reactions.

Uploaded by

Sophia Noelle Jacob
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Catalysis and Types of Catalysts

Sophia Noelle A. Jacob


Introduction
A catalyst is a material that increases the rate of a reaction without being consumed by
it. Catalysis refers to any reaction that uses a catalyst. In order to master analytical
chemistry and comprehend what happens at the molecular level when chemicals are mixed
together and a reaction takes place, it is helpful to begin by giving an overview of each
of the different types of catalysts. Homogeneous catalysts and heterogeneous catalysis
are the two primary categories of catalysts and the catalytic reactions they are
connected with.

Materials
LAS
Digital Device
Record Book
Pen

Objectives
This activity aims to determine, identify, and familiarize catalysis and types of
catalysts.

Procedure
Answer the given questions in the LAS completely.

Questions
1. Identify each of the following as examples of the action of homogeneous or
heterogeneous catalysts:

a. Rhodium and platinum metals are used in an automobile catalytic converter to


convert exhaust gases into safer gases.
Heterogeneous Catalyst

b. Gaseous chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) have been shown to catalyze the breakdown of


ozone in the upper atmosphere.
Homogeneous Catalyst

c. Aqueous sulfuric acid catalyzes the decomposition of aqueous formic acid to carbon
monoxide and water.
Homogeneous Catalyst

d. Powdered T iCl4 , is used in the formation of polyethylene polymer from gaseous


ethylene.
Heterogeneous Catalyst

2. What are the key stages in heterogeneous catalysis?

Adsorption of reactant molecules activation centre.

Formation of activation complex at the centre.

This complex decomposes to give products.

Desorption of products from the surface of the catalyst.

3. Many gas reactions are catalyzed by solids, and the process starts with the gas
molecules being adsorbed on to the metal surface. Explain the difference between the
words adsorbed and absorbed.

Catalysis and Types of Catalysts 1


The difference between adsorption and absorption is that the former is when a molecule
from a gas or liquid sticks to the surface of a solid, while the latter is when a
substance is consumed inside another.

4. Silver and tungsten are not very good catalysts, but platinum and nickel can be
excellent catalysts. Explain why this is in terms of the strength of the adsorption of
gases to their surfaces.

Solid catalysts frequently function by adsorbing an initial substance onto their


surface. Following a reaction, the byproducts are desorbed off the surface. In turn,
the surface becomes available for the subsequent batch of reactants to be adsorbed.

5. A heterogeneous catalyst works by interacting with a reactant in a process called


adsorption. What occurs during this process? Explain how this can lower the activation
energy.
Intermolecular interactions between the surface and the reactant weaken, therefore
raising the reactant’s reactivity and the activation energy for a reaction is
frequently decreased. Since in adsorption, the reactant firmly sticks to a surface.

Conclusion
Homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts are the two primary categories of catalysts and
the catalytic reactions they are connected with. Several sources indicate enzymes, often
known as biocatalysts, are the third category of catalyst.

Catalysis and Types of Catalysts 2

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